All Knotted Up: A Paranormal Shifter Holiday Romance Short

by Elliot Ason

How does a small town, holiday office romance between a reindeer shifter and his mate sound?


Leaving his life up North, Neil doesn't want over the top traditions or the ridiculous ritual of being tied to a mate.
When the sweet smelling Helly finds herself needing a job in his cafe, he’s forced to face the one thing he never wanted…
Fate.


This is a steamy, insta-love, 12k word paranormal romance Christmas short with adult language and a knotting reindeer shifter.

Genres: Christmas, Shapeshifters, Holiday, Paranormal Romance, Monster Romance, Fantasy, Novella

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2023

About the author

First and foremost, I'm a lover of all things romance, especially if there's a monster sprinkled in there somewhere 😉

I write steamy (and sometimes quirky) bite sized insta-love tales of monsters and magical creatures that are on a journey to find their one true match.

I work full time and am also a wife and mom - always outnumbered by two boys!


You can find me on:
Instagram
Facebook
Or visit my Amazon Page!

Reviews

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a really short read it was cute. And unusual.
"So you're a weredeer?" I found it so absurd that I laughed so much.

[Spicy BookNook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

On the 6th day of Smutmas, we get All Knotted Up!

I'm loving these books because so many of the authors are brand new to me and that makes me so incredibly happy! So without further ado, Elliot is brand new to me & it was insta-love! Want to know why? Schitt's Creek was referenced and that's my favorite show ever! Insta-love 🖤

Okay okay, back to the book! Haha. This one took me by surprise because it's a shifter romance where he turns into a caribou/reindeer and with the name Dasher 🤣

Helly just happens to walk into a place unknown to her that her mate is there waiting for her...this story was so incredibly cute and spicy! I love me a good knotting story and this one was it!

Thank you for this addition to the series! I'll definitely be sticking out to read more from you!

[mj · Rating 2 out of 5]

the cringe was cranked to 11 on this one, but maybe it's because extreme instalove always makes me roll my eyes

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Dori Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Never thought I’d ask this but where can I find myself a Caribou Shifter? Specifically one that owns a Cafe in Canada, and his last name is Dasher… and clearly loves Christmas. LOL! I really truly enjoyed reading All Knotted Up. I’ve never read a shifter romance, so I came into this with an open mind.

Our story begins with Helly (Helen), who sadly has come back home to Coal’s Lake to take care of a passing relatives home that was left to her. However, due to the distance of Coal’s Lake from Calgary, Helly decides to look for a job that’s close to her so she can make extra money whilst renovating the home to sell it. Little does she know, she’s about to stumble into a really weird situation.

Neil (Cornelius) Dasher left his home in North Canada to escape a fate that he didn’t want part of; he just wants to live a normal human life and not deal with the forced bonding of a mate. Until one day the beautiful Helly walks into his cafe to interview for a barista position he’s trying to fill. Immediately there’s a ✨ZING✨, the snap of a bond that he didn’t want. But, after his initial meet with Helly, she’s all he can think about. The literal animal inside him THRASHES and ITCHES to get out from under Neil’s skin. But will he accept the bond? Read to find out! ;)

All Knotted up is a wonderfully written, fast paced, and short Novella about fated mates and a dash of Christmas Spirit!

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
-Dual POV
-Fated Mates
-MeetCute
-Smalltown Romance
-🪢ing

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This was my first shifter romance so I didn’t really know what to expect. I felt like this was such a cute book. A caribou/reindeer shifter named “dasher” so adorable for a holiday novella. I’m not usually a fan of instalove, but in this story it’s pretty cute.

There’s obviously a lot of build up in their tension. I wish that had been described better because I needed more. Like I knew we were building up to something but I wasn’t in my mind thinking omg when are they going to do it. So the chemistry just wasn’t there for me.

The ending was kind of weird. I think this would’ve been an awesome plot for a shorter book 100-150 pages. Trying to fit this in 60 was tough and left a lot to be desired. But overall I did enjoy it.

Spice- there’s one somewhat described scene and another that is partially described. For being part of the 12 days of Smutmas I expected more spice.

Tropes: Dual POV, instalove, fated mates, paranormal shifter, small town romance, novella knotting

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a cozy holiday quickie read.

We have FMC Helly, who has come back home to take care and repair a home that a family member left her when they passed away. Helly decides to look for a local job to help make ends meet and is hired as a barista at MMC, Neil Dasher's Christmas cafe. Neil is a caribou shifter and is not looking for a mate, but immediately connects with Helly. To cover up his attraction he acts like a bit of a grump, but eventually his sweet side comes out and he gets off the naughty list.

This novella was very cute and was perfect for a quick Christmas read. It had some spice and I loved the caribou shifter aspect. There's enough alpha romances out there, I love a non-predator shifter story. I wish the story was a bit longer, I'd love to follow this couple along for a bit, but the ending was sweet.

I received an ARC of this book in return for my unbiased review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Knotted Up is a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, Christmas themed, fated mates romance. Helen (Helly) is in town taking care of her uncle's estate. Neil is a caribou shifter and owner of the Reindeer Cafe. When Helly applies for a job at Neil's cafe, they are instantly attracted to each other. He hires her, and then through a series of events, she ends up living with him. What happens when she finds out he's a shifter? Will she understand fated mates? The chemistry between these two was INSANE!! We get lots of smutty goodness after just a little drama and get an amazing HEA. I loved this couple. This was a fun and spicy Christmas story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen (Helly), the female human lead, desperately needs a job so she can find sorting out her uncle’s estate. Neil Dasher (yes, THAT Dasher), the male caribou shifter lead, moved away from his family and their expectations around mating and jobs and opened his coffee shop years ago. He’s been content as a bachelor and is shocked to find his caribou claiming Helly as his mate…

This short story is dual POV, well written, and a steamy sweet paranormal romance. It was a cute, fluffy palate cleanser that was a fun read. I enjoyed the character interactions and the fast relationship development.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Iluvbks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short read. Helly is in this small town to take care of her uncles estate. The story does not go into that very much. This is not a minor part of the story but it does leave questions about how he died and why there are issues with the estate. I liked her character. She was a strong character. I liked how she "researched" shifters.
You find out about Neil as the story progresses. He is a bit of a rebel! but he also is still a Dasher. I was say this was not instant love but it was quick. Neil's house and the settings in the book were described so good. This was a fun short read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helly relocates to a new town to manage her late uncle's estate and lands a job as a barista at Neil's coffee shop. Little does she know, Neil is a caribou shifter and recognizes Helly as his mate.
"All Knotted Up" is a wonderfully crafted novella that delves into the characters' depths, despite its concise length. The Reindeer Cafe and the charming town provide a picturesque backdrop that enhances the overall experience.
As a newcomer to shifter romance, I found myself intrigued by the term "knotting" and had to resort to a Google search for clarification. Let's just say, I may never view things quite the same way again! 😅

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and easy read. Helly is stuck in town sorting out her uncles estate and finds herself working in Neil’s coffee shop. At first she is convinced he doesn’t like her but it’s much more than this - he’s a shifter and OMG she’s his mate!!!! Neil doesn’t expect his mate to walk through his cafe door but there we are… he instantly feels an attraction to her BUT she has no idea shifters exist!!!! Not to mention, chatting up his newest employee is Not the way to behave as a boss… I loved that we got to see both sides of the story - dual POV always hits the spot for me!! This was gentle, comforting, sweet and spicy(!) - perfect to read in the Christmas season!

[Milica]

DNF @ 66%

I recently discovered that I don't like shifter romances, but I've never read a reindeer romance, so I was curious. I didn't have luck with this one, but I'm still keeping a flamingo shifter on my TBR.
The beginning was good enough, but then the hero started acting like a douche. He didn't know what he wanted and I don't think that reindeer are possessive or overly protective like the hero was trying to be. He changed moods every few minutes and the heroine let him jerk her around. And I didn't want to waste any more of my time on that.

[Silke K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helly

She wants to complete the estate of her uncle's house. Move on quickly from this small town. She hadn't been here since she was little. Needing a job, any job is mandatory.
Having an interview at the local diner is something she needs. She is to meet Mr. Dashed for the job. She walks in and a handsome guy has his back turned making a latte. When he turns around, extending his hand, they shake hands. A spark tingles up her arm?? What was that? I think he felt it too. Hmmm.

[Selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first shifter read where the shifter is something other then a predator animal. I actually really LOVE that he is a Caribou. Its fun to have that changed up!! I love the Christmas cafe setting!
This is a very short, quick but very hot read. You will love reading this fast story about our two instant love characters!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pau G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say i loved It, It Is a cozy reading for the up comming season. So get your favorite mug, hot drink and Let your self enjoy ☕

What Will you get from It?...
Instalove❤️❤️❤️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Paranormal romance
A reindeer shifter🫎
...

Soooo if you want to read a short story that feels like a balm after so much dark (🤭) this Is the one to go 🥰

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short and sweet!

I love the concept of this story! I wish it was longer and we had some more detailed time with them as a couple! I’m a sucker for a shifter romance. I was intrigued by the idea of a caribou shifter. I wish the story was longer to get more of them actually together and as mates and a little more spice.
Overall a cute quick read.

[Cora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, spicy holiday read. This was a fun story. I haven't read about caribou shifters before and didn't realize that caribou and reindeer are the same animals. It was a cute twist on the shifter romances I usually read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this Christmas themed shifter story. Cornelius (Neil) Dasher is a carabou shifter, who finds his mate in Helen (Helly) when she walks into his cafe. Instant attraction, playful banter and steamy scenes are included in this loving short story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun premise!

I thought the premise of this was very intriguing being a shifter romance, and overall was fine with the mates insta-love situation, but something still felt missing. I think with the shifter aspect I had higher hopes for the chemistry in the spice and just wanted more.

[Kristy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first ever ARC, and I'm sad to say it just didn't do it for me. The concept was interesting, as I'd never read a caribou-shifter romance before, but it was just too short. The characters and plot weren't developed and I could understand if this was just pure smut, but even the spicy scenes were lacking.

[Leah Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
2/5🌶

Reindeer shifter? Uh yes pleaseee!!! Holy wow this book was yummy!!!

I love the grumpXSunshine trope in this book!!! Super cute shifter Christmas romance!!!

Favorite Quote:
“Your caribou? So what? You’re… you’re a werewolf but… but a reindeer instead? A weredeer?” She laughs. “This is insane.”

[The Dirty Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. I enjoyed the characters. It moved a little too quick for me even for a novella. But also it didn't move quick enough. I thought the spicy scene should have been quicker but the i love yous should have been later is what I'm trying to say.

All in all it was a quick and fun read and I enjoyed it.

[Silindile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book it was sweet charming and a page turner, loved both main characters I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ENE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, first book I've read from this author, will look out for others.

Helly needs a job and applies at a cafe where she falls for her boss Neil, only to find there's more to him than normal.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short and spicy book. It is an insta-love mates between a human and a caribou shifter who loves Christmas. I liked that it is a different kind of shifter than I have read in the past. I would love to read more about this couple.

[Rachel Carritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet short holiday read

Hels comes to town to take care of uncle's estate, gets a job as a barista and feels an instant connection to the boss unsure about what to do with her feelings. Neil doesn't want the same things his family has.. or does he?

[BookLover1990 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If not because of the ending the rating would be less than 3 stars. I didn't connect with the characters until the last chapter or two. It feels like something is missing but I really enjoyed the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Berrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned that a caribou is the same thing as a reindeer

This wasn’t for me. It was a cute idea but I think it was too rushed for the story. I don’t think a novella was the best format for this plot

[Keely Lovelace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and Sweet

This is a fast-paced adorable holiday Shifter short. I loved it and would read it again. It didn't feel so fast in some parts, and in others, you knew it was moving quickly. Perfect for a quick holiday read to get refreshed.